14. The Spider

                                    

                                          
"Gyahhhh!" Remi grunted as he hoisted himself up onto the crow's nest for the fifth time that day. Climbing forty yards was no easy task. He leaned on the wooden pole in the middle, panting heavily. Shae was standing in the corner, looking out in the sea. She scanned the sea around her again, making sure there were no threats, then turned around.
                          
"How was practice with Gasim?" She asked, the setting sun colouring her hair a shade of orange. 
                          
It had been eight months, the current month bring the last, since Remi had started his 'survival' lessons with that mountain of a man. He could not remember the number of times he had been kicked, punched and thrown perilously close to the edge of the ship. Gasim seemed to enjoy tossing him around.
                          
Remi had learnt to use the sword, not very well but enough to defend himself against any average swordsman. He loved spinning around with his sword, agility had been his greatest weapon against the brute strength of Gasim. 
                          
Shae had taught him to cook food fit for sailors, not the 'tasteless shit' that he used to cook in Braavos. And men were slowly lessening their usual cursing at him after the night's dinner, his food was getting better. 
                          
She had also coached him to spot the tiniest abnormality in the horizon, as well as the different sails on the sea. He was getting better at spotting ships and their emblems. She had told him of the ships that were dangerous and the ships that were not. 
                          
Shae had been a lifesaver.
                          
"He hit me with his sword thrice in my stomach." Remi said, clutching his belly. 
                          
Shae crossed her arms, looking him over.
                          
"You're so weak." She said.
                          
Remi rolled his eyes. Normally, he would've yelled at her in anger but over the past months, he had become used to her insults. This was just Shae.
                          
"I'll fall off and die if you make me climb down again. Please, please, let me live in peace." He pleaded, his eyes playful.
                          
A smile flitted on Shae's lips before she looked away, biting the inside of her mouth.
                          
"Alright. I'll cook food for the ravenous cocks of Galerio. Don't let your eye falter from the horizon and I might bring some food for yours too." She said teasingly as she hauled herself over the nest.
                          
"Bring some ale too. Mine's pretty thirsty." Remi grinned.
                          
Shae gave him a disgusted look as she lowered herself. Remi chuckled to himself, then stood up straight resuming his position as the lookout of the grand ship.
                          
The setting sun has colored the entire ocean orange, making it look as if it was blazing.
                          
Later, when night had fallen, Shae creeped up to the barrel on the main mast, a cloth bag with her. Remi was leaning on the wooden pole with his head down and lightly snoring.
                          
"Oh, for fuck's sake." She muttered to herself, hitting him on the head.
                          
"What the-" His screaming stopped as he saw her. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" 
                          
Shae thrusted the cloth bag in his hands. 
                          
"Your reward for being a responsible lookout and alerting is beforehand had pirates come to plunder this ship." She said, a sardonic smile on her face.
                          
At this point, Remi had become very immune to her prickly nature. He proceeded to open the bag he'd been given, avoiding her altogether.
                          
He pulled out a wooden lunchbox, opening it to see spiced rice with a glob of pickle at its side.